What do u guys think? I honestly don't think Kobe will ever lead a team to a championship... and I consider shaq to be the jordan character of the 3-peat lakers. it was Shaq who won all 3 finals MVP in LA. (not to mention winning away from LA... but you can say that was Wade's title).

However.. Pippen was on the all first and second defensive team, was always a great player. and the year Jordan retired the first time... the year after .. PIPPEN WAS #2 IN MVP votes that season. Are people overrating kobe? If you put Jordan on that Laker's team last year.. they would have won IMO... but if u put pippen there?... probably would have taken the celtics to 6.

yea.. I know Kobe won MVP already... but honestly I think he's more like pippen than he is like Jordan. That being said I hope the Suns get the 8th spot and shaq can take out kobe in the first round !!

Different eras, different rules. Jordan is and always will be the greatest player to ever play the game but the fact is, he only ever had to deal with single coverage. Kobe on the other hand had to deal with Boston's absolutely suffocating zone defense, with a trap waiting for him off of his first step to the basket. People need to understand that it wasn't because of anything Kobe did (or didn't do) that resulted in the Lakers losing, it was the fact that his teammates couldn't make shots. When Kobe was trapped, he got his teammates the looks they needed, and they just didn't want to go down.

When all is said and done, Kobe will go down as the second most talented player to ever play the game, simple as that.

No. You're wrong. Jordan only had to deal with single coverage AWAY from the ball .. before there was the illegal defence rule. It's not like he was a catch and shooter like Reggie Miller. As soon as he got the ball they would throw double or triple teams at him the same way they do with kobe.

If Kobe gets another ring before his career is over.. then maybe. Right now he's just like alot of other rookie's that couldve ridden shaq's tail in his prime. You put lebron in his first few years when shaq is dominating and they would have gotten a 3 peat for sure. He has to get one on his own... if he doesn't.. he'll just be shaq's assitant.. another sidekick.. like pippen.

Forgetting MJ just being better, his pathelogical competitiveness and the effect it had on his teams' effort and success, is something Kobe can't replicate. The only person who can come close to that effect in today's game is KG IMO. That's not to say Kobe isn't competitive but the overall effect isn't the same, to me at least.

Kobe is Kobe.

Oh and personally I believe Shaq is the most naturally talented and gifted player ever. The fact that he's a top 10 player of all time despite not really having the ethic of the other guys, shows something. A man with that mix of size, agility, and hands, just ridiculous. If Shaq was as hellbent on his game and dominating as some other legends, he'd probably be the best ever easily

Agree with you to an extent about Shaq, but more naturally talented than Bron Bron?

Bron's 6'8, 250, pure muscle. He's the fastest guy in the league, he jumps higher than anyone, he has the best ball handling skills in the league, and his court vision is up there with the best. It's unfair really.

Kobe plays just like Jordan, so Jordan or Pippen, without a doubt it's Jordan, if you're looking at how they play the game. As far as a "symbol" goes, which seems to be the question of this thread, who cares. Jordan did everything easier because he made simpler decisions. Kobe does that at times, but to often he makes the game more complicated than it is, and you see him leaving himself with hard shots. He might get as good as Jordan, he has the ability, there is no question about that.
But Jordan had a calmer demeanor on the court. I don't know if Kobe will ever be as ice cold as Jordan was.

Different eras, different rules. Jordan is and always will be the greatest player to ever play the game but the fact is, he only ever had to deal with single coverage. Kobe on the other hand had to deal with Boston's absolutely suffocating zone defense, with a trap waiting for him off of his first step to the basket. People need to understand that it wasn't because of anything Kobe did (or didn't do) that resulted in the Lakers losing, it was the fact that his teammates couldn't make shots. When Kobe was trapped, he got his teammates the looks they needed, and they just didn't want to go down.

When all is said and done, Kobe will go down as the second most talented player to ever play the game, simple as that.

I don't know, King James career is far from over and when it is done he could have Jordan's current mantle.

Agree with you to an extent about Shaq, but more naturally talented than Bron Bron?

Bron's 6'8, 250, pure muscle. He's the fastest guy in the league, he jumps higher than anyone, he has the best ball handling skills in the league, and his court vision is up there with the best. It's unfair really.

Yeah, Bron would be the other guy up there. Can you imagine Lebron with MJ's competitiveness? insane